Finish reflects a tight season
The conclusion of this weekend’s round of Wimmera Netball Association action will reflect the results of the eight teams who have gone head to head across 16 rounds of exciting competition.
As we approach the finals, and with a final five set, this weekend’s last round of the home-and-away season will reveal why results will play a huge part for teams looking ahead.
Last week, Warrack Eagles ran over Ararat at home at Alexandra Oval, Dimboola edged out Western Highway rival Nhill in a close one and Horsham Demons dominated a winless Stawell Warriors.
Minyip-murtoa also managed to hold on and snare a two-goal victory over a marching Horsham Saints in the closest game of the round.
It’s bound to be a pearler between Horsham and Minyip-murtoa at Horsham City Oval this weekend.
If you’re a netball fan, you should skip on down and check out some of the best regional players running around.
For one, keep your eye on young Demons star Emma Buwalda.
If you don’t know the name you should. The kid can shoot, she can move, and boy, can she dominate – all the while making it look easy.
Minyip-murtoa’s defensive duo of Stevie Bibby and Stefanie Cooper will have its hands full with Buwalda, but they are more than up to the challenge.
Experienced Demons keeper Mel Scott will get the nod on Burras shooting queen Kirby Knight, and it will be a cracker contest in the middle.
Demons hard runners Abbie Avery and Paige Lloyd will battle it out all afternoon with the talented Burras engine room of Lateesha Gascoyne and Billie Bibby.
Oh, and don’t forget the Burras’ creative play-maker out the front of Knight – Jessie Elder – and consistent young Horsham defender Georgia Hiscock, who will be looking to confuse the spaces in her path.
When Horsham Saints hit the boards this week, you can expect coach Jess Cannane to be pretty excited about her side being finals bound.
While the future looks bright for the Saints, they must work hard to beat the much-improved Nhill Tigers.
The Caris girls have provided bookends to the Saints’ starting seven, but with the likes of Tara Jasper, Megan O’connor, Larnie Hobbs and Ash Grace in the middle, the connections are establishing nicely.
For the Tigers, coach Tarrah Dodds will motivate her girls to finish off their season on a high, and that they can.
Up front Emma Beer will lead her side into battle, while in the defensive end Emma Hawker and Dodds will contest plenty of balls.
In what should be a close one, whoever can get on top in the middle will win.
As Warrack Eagles head down the Borung Highway, there’s still plenty to prove as they face the Dimboola Roos.
Speedy Eagles wing Petah Winsall is finding her form and providing plenty of quality balls into team-mate and goalie Megan Werner.
Under the post for the Roos, Nicole Polycarpou and Billie-jo Barber will look to continue their consistent goaling partnership, and will attract plenty of attention from the Eagles defensive pairing of Penny Fisher and Jess Kelly.
Down the Western Highway to Ararat the Stawell Warriors must go, and if there’s a will there’s a way.
As the Warriors look to chalk up their first win of the season, add to that the inspiration of a famous local rivalry.
But for the Rats, they too would like to finish off 2017 with a win. Round-15 results: Minyip-murtoa d Horsham Saints 42-40, Dimboola d Nhill 46-43, Horsham d Stawell 8832, Warrack Eagles d Ararat 51-33. Ladder: Horsham Demons 56, Minyip-murtoa 52, Warrack Eagles 40, Dimboola 32, Horsham Saints 28, Ararat 16, Nhill 16, Stawell 0.